October anglers are waiting for those bigger stripers to move in but in the meantime, according to Captain Chuck, Sea Star III, you can stay busy with triggerfish, blackfish, porgies, blues, and croakers. Weakfish are still around, and red and black drum, tile fish and wahoo are also on the menu.
Here’s a couple of reminders: sea bass season is closed now until Nov. 1 and it’s best for you to call your favorite party boat or charter captain before you set out. Many boats and marinas are on an adjusted schedule. The Royal Flush with Captain John is only going out on Saturdays and Sundays, 6-hour trips, sailing at 9 a.m.
Reports from Sterling Harbor Marina remain positive with some great action from the surf and reefs. Along the beachfront spot, croakers and small bluefish were back but the surprise action was red drum catches off the beach from Avalon to Cape May. Red drum from 20 to 28 inches are being caught on mullet strips and chunks with the best action happening at the start of the incoming tide. In the back bays schoolie size stripers are everywhere and weakfish up to 24 inches were being caught while drifting mullet baits along the bottom.
Offshore, the best reports came from the Washington Canyon with scattered tuna and wahoo are being caught just inside the hundred fathom line. Crabby Jack gives the crabbing 5 Claws again this week and says crabbing has been the best of the year.
At Grassy Sound Marina, bluefish, stripers, and weakfish are being caught from dusk ‘til dawn in the back. Crabbing has been outstanding in the shallow warmer water. Eight-year-old Isaiah Wing, Middle Township, had a great time on the fishing pier catching sea bass using live bait, incoming tide. Tim Fehr, Philadelphia caught 2 nice weakfish and a striper fishing the sod banks with mullet chunks.
TOURNEY NEWS: NJDEP Division of Fish and Wildlife announced the winners of the Governor’s Surf Fishing Tournament, Oct. 5. Barry South of Morrisville, Pa., took the grand prize and NJ Governor’s Cup with an 18.5 inch bluefish. For a complete list of winners, visit www.njfishandwildlife.com/news/2013/gsft13-winners.htm
Jersey Shore Beach N Boat released the top anglers in their year-long tourney so far: Robert Pettit, Black Drum, 75 pounds; Walter Fisher, bluefish 22.75 pounds; Edward Plichta, Fluke, 10.49 pounds; Bill Young, kingfish, 2.31 pounds; Gregory Carr, Sea Bass, 5.5 pounds; Phil LaGrossa, Striper, 46.4pounds; Alex Oliszewski, Tautog (Blackfish), 13.7 pounds; Phil LaGrossa, weakfish, 9.75 pounds. More info at www.beachnboat.com
South Jersey Carpenters Local 255 will sponsor the annual Striped Bass Tournament on Nov. 2 to benefit the Brendan Borek High Tides Memorial Fund, Inc., a pediatric cancer charity fund. This year there will be two weigh in spots: Northern Scale, Hoffman’s Marina, Brielle and Southern Scale, Hinch Marina, Cape May; $60 includes award dinner. You must be registered with the NJ Saltwater Recreational Registry Program. Go to www.saltwaterregistry.nj-gov/ Registration is free.
For details about the tournament call Andy 289-2962 or go to www.hightidesstripertournament.com
Oct. 17-19, Ocean City Fishing Club, 3-day tournament, mikehayes325@gmail.com. Oct. 18, OC Fishing Club Tackle Show, $3, 7-9 pm, Sports and Civic Center, 5th Street and Boardwalk. Contact Dan 856-261-4521 or djladik@comcast.net.
NEWS: The NJDEP Division of Fish and Wildlife recently stocked an additional 400 largemouth bass averaging 4 inches in length, and approximately 5,000 black crappies averaging 2 inches, in Prospertown Lake (Ocean County). The stocking continues the Division’s restoration of game fish populations which began in the spring. The Division also plans one last stocking in late October of bass, bluegills and channel catfish. Anglers can anticipate good populations bass, sunfish and catfish during 2014, but are welcome to enjoy the lake now. See www.njfishandwildlife.com/news/2013/prospertown_restock2.htm
Proposed amendments to the 2014-2015 Fish Code, New Jersey Register, Sept. 16, public comment period ends Nov. 15. Submit comments electronically at www.nj.gov/dep/rules/comments or mail to Gary J. Brower, Esq. ATTN: 05-13-08 NJ DEP Office of Legal Affairs Mail Code 401-04L, PO Box 402, 401 E. State St., 4th Floor Trenton, NJ 08625-0402. Information at www.njfishandwildlife.com/news/2013/fishcode_proposal.htm or www.nj.gov/dep/rules/notices/20130916a.html
SPECIAL THANK YOU to all members of the USCG AUX who helped with the marathon rescues with Jim McCarty, Fran Krejewski, Flotilla 83 and Lily Palin, Flotilla 82. We are all grateful for your volunteer service.
The Fishing Line runs year round so keep sending your reports and pictures to cmiller@cmcherald.com. Column and pictures are posted online at www.capemaycountyherald.com and on Facebook. Keep them coming.
Cape May – Governor Murphy says he doesn't know anything about the drones and doesn't know what they are doing but he does know that they are not dangerous. Does anyone feel better now?
